He is going to see his doctor to review an MRI to find out the full extent of the injury, but he know that he’s in for some lengthy down time no matter what.

“Over the phone, I was told that surgery is a must and recovery is typically six to nine months.”

It’s been a rough road for Ludwig since he returned to the Octagon. His first fight back was of the short-notice variety against Jim Miller, which he lost, and then he suffered a spiral fracture in his return fight against Darren Elkins.

After eight months on the sideline, Ludwig returned to back-to-back victories, but is now mired in a three-fight skid, capped off by the complete tear of ACL.

Ludwig says it’s “breaking his heart,” but if the UFC will have him, he’s not planning to stay away, declaring, “Bang will return!”

Ludwig had just signed a new four-fight contract prior to the Mills bout.